Spreading the FFN! message
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 124 No 2, 15 March 2019, page no. 13
What is a fair go? This concept seems self-explanatory, but when you think about the Morrison Coalition government’s funding model for public education, the idea of a “fair go” for our students is missing.
Since late January, we have been travelling around Queensland and speaking with educators, parents and community members about the needs-based funding our students and schools are missing out on because of federal funding cuts.
So what’s on the line? Fair funding would see an additional $647 million reach our schools. We know that school funding makes a difference. It is therefore critical that state schools receive a guaranteed minimum level of funding to deliver an education that allows every child to achieve their potential. This level of funding is called the schooling resource standard (SRS).
The Morrison government is providing up to 80 per cent of the SRS for every private school in this country, while only providing up to 20 per cent of the SRS for state schools. We believe this is grossly unfair and we want to let educators, parents and community members know about this in the lead up to the federal election.
Fair funding would mean:
- smaller class sizes
- additional specialist teachers
- new literacy and numeracy programs
- upgrades to classrooms and facilities
- increased teacher-aide hours
- greater support for students with disability.
Our success with the Fair Funding Now! campaign in Longman during the 2018 by-election, as well as the amazing work of our activists, has been an inspiration. This campaign is a true representation of union and people power – but we still have work to do before May. We must all be advocates for our profession and spread the word.
A child only gets one “go” at an education, so let’s make it the best (and fairest) opportunity possible.
If you would like more information, or you would like to get involved in the campaign:
- visit the Fair Funding Now! website: www.fairfundingnow.org.au
- like the Fair Funding Now! Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FairFundingNow
- sign on as a Fair Funding Now! supporter
- talk to community members about the FFN! campaign
- put a FFN! sticker on your wheelie bin or a corflute on your fence to show the neighbours you support your local state school
- vote for a party that supports our profession and our schools at the next federal election.